A blend of 61% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc, this has a strict, linear nose with cedar infused black fruits, black plum, a hint of damson and a whiff of smoke. Good definition. The palate is full-bodied with quite muscular tannins, good depth of flavour, rounded blackberry, boysenberry, just a touch of white pepper and graphite towards the finish. Good definition here: this is an excellent Deuxieme Vin, though quite dry and tannic on the aftertaste. Tasted March 2010.

[60M/25CS/15CF] (50%GV) Sweet, but freshly ripe blackberry fruit nose, notice the new wood just a touch; very nicely balanced, quite concentrated middleweight , overall supple, but with a very gentle, dry tannin; ripe yet fresh, moderately complex, spicy, easy and accessible without being simple, and with good scented fruit length; very nice lesser Pauillac - with all the fruit of the year, but the lesser structure to make it attractive early. 2012-18